As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich.
Just as a cage is packed full of birds, their houses are packed full of lies and dishonesty. This is how they have become powerful and grown wealthy.
The writer is saying that these people have built their wealth and power through deception and dishonesty, piling up lies like birds crammed in a cage.
📚 Historical Context
Jeremiah was prophesying during the final years of the Kingdom of Judah, around 600 BC, when corruption was rampant among the wealthy and powerful. The prophet was condemning the dishonest business practices and exploitation of the poor that had become commonplace among Jerusalem's elite. This verse is part of a larger passage where God is explaining why judgment is coming upon the nation.
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